Coaxial relay

ABSTRACT

A coaxial relay that approximates a coaxial conductor, the relay contact-making members being mounted on the cover of a housing. The housing has a small adjustment towards and from the contacts, and there is an opening in the housing for observing the location of the housing walls with respect to the relay contact-making members. An electromagnetic operator by successive impulses causes the relay to operate in one direction or the other.

United States Patent Herbert D. Steinback Chicago, 111.

Oct. 22, 1965 Oct. 19, 1971 Magnecraft Electric Co. Chicago, Ill.

[72] Inventor [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45 Patented [73] Assignee [54] COAXIAL RELAY 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 333/7, 333/97 S [51] lnt.Cl 1101p l/l0, H01p 5/ 12 [50] Field of Search 333/7, 97 S, 97; 335/167-171, 5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,971,199 8/1934 Owens 335/169 2,584,901 2/1952 Miller et a1. 333/7 2,606,260 8/1952 Frese 335/167 X 2,926,318 2/1960 Lanctot 333/7 X 2,958,054 10/1960 Concelman 333/7 3,088,081 4/1963 Concelman 333/7 2,472,274 6/1949 Beleskas 333/5 X 2,642,495 6/1953 Haulman et al 333/7 2,957,963 10/1960 Concelman 333/5 3,193,644 7/1965 Coughlin et a1. 335/17 3,202,784 8/1965 Santangeli 335/5 3,214,537 10/1965 Krieger 335/17X 3,131,268 4/1964 Orner 335/5 OTHER REFERENCES A Thyratron Operated Phone Patch Teutschbein CQ January 1962; pages 42- 44 relied upon Primary Examiner-Hennan Karl Saalbach Assistant Examiner-Marvin Nussbaum AttorneyMorris Spector ABSTRACT: A coaxial relay that approximates a coaxial conductor, the relay contact-making members being mounted on the cover of a housing. The housing has a small adjustment towards and from the contacts, and there is an opening in the housing for observing the location of the housing walls with respect to the relay contact-making members. An electromagnetic operator by successive impulses causes the relay to operate in one direction or the other.

PATENTEDHU 19ml 3,614.671

SHEET 26F 2 INVENTOR. HERBERT D. STEINBACK COAXIAL RELAY This invention relates to relays for interconnecting radiofrequency signal coaxial lines.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a relay for switching connections between radiofrequency coaxial lines in such a manner that the connection from one line to the other is as close as possible to being a coaxial cable. Connections of the above type must approach as nearly as possible the characteristics of a coaxial cable in order to provide the desired characteristics of impedance and electrical shielding for switching radiofrequency current with a minimum of loss introduced by the relay circuit. The loss may be due to any of a number of reasons. For instance, the power loss due to mismatch introduced into the line by the relay itself. This loss may be expressed as a ratio of the highest voltage to the lowest voltage found in the RF line, known as the voltage standing wave ratio. In RF transmission lines it is desirable to avoid, wherever possible, standing waves which create reflected power losses. Another possible loss is the insertion loss which is the attennation, measured in decibels (db.), produced by the insertion of the closed relay contacts in a closed signal circuit. Another requirement for the relay connection is that it shall not introduce crosstalk. Crosstalk is the coupling between a closed contact circuit, or between other open or closed contacts, on the same relay switch, expressed in decibels down from the signal level in the closed circuit.

In relays intended for the above-mentioned purposes the electrical losses at the connections between movable members of thecircuit and the other members of the circuit must be maintained at a minimum.

In accordance with the present invention, the switch blades are conventional spring blades. Each such blade is mounted at its stationary contact in such a way as to produce a firm mechanical joint which is capable of withstanding an inordinately large number of flexings of the spring switch member, and wherein the electrical connections with the spring switch member at the joint are such as to produce a minimum loss. This is provided by maintaining a flat surface-to-surface engagement of the end of the spring with its mount, and providing an electrical current path between the two, independently of the mechanical juncture between the two, said electrical connection being maintained by a continuous solder connection between the two, the solder wetting both of said parts to produce good electrical conductivity between them.

I It is a further object of this invention to provide a coaxial switch for connecting a radiofrequency wave signal coaxial line and another line, or another one of a plurality of lines, wherein the switch is constructed to facilitate extremely precise adjustment of the switch parts in relation to one another and of the switch parts in relation to the surrounding grounded surfaces. The switch is so constructed that in the manufacture of the same adjustment of the switch parts with great precision is facilitated and after the assembly of the switch parts within the grounded housing it is further convenient to adjust the relationship of the switch parts with respect to the surrounding grounded housing with a high degree of fineness.

In such a switch, in accordance with the present invention, it is desirable to have the switch blade or switch spring surrounded by a grounded housing at a fixed distance therefrom. This distance, I have found, should be less than the distance between the grounded housing and the portion of the switch where the switch spring is mounted upon its stationary terminal. In accordance with the principles of the present invention the switching cavity is of substantially uniform cross-sectional area for substantially the full length of the switch blade and is of a larger cross-sectional area at the mounted end of the switch blade, to minimize electrical losses at the switch.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a relay comprising a coaxial switch and a magnetic structure for actuating the switch and wherein the two are so related that it is possible to produce, in a relatively simple manner, an exceedingly fine adjustment between the switch and the magnetic actuator therefor so that the pressure that the actuator exerts against the switch can be controlled to provide precisely the desired pressure between the switching contacts that are brought into engagement with one another.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a relay comprising a switch of the above-mentioned character and its magnetic operator which is so arranged as to facilitate a reasonable amount of very fine adjustment of the coaxial switch contacts after assembly of the unit.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a coaxial switch comprising a switching unit which constitutes a substantially complete assembly that can be easily and almost completely adjusted before assembly with its housing, and after such assembly can be mounted on a relay base structure in such a manner as to facilitate a relatively exceedingly fine adjustment of the coaxial switch parts with respect to one another and of the assembly of those parts with respect to the magnetic actuator structure.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and forming a part thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the relay embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are fragmentary sectional views taken along the lines 2--2 and 3-3, respectively of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic layout of a control and indicating circuit for the relay of FIG. 1.

Reference may now be had more particularly to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout.

In the drawings, a latching-type relay 1 includes a mounting plate 2 upon which the various parts are mounted. This includes a coaxial switch assembly 3 for ultra high frequency switching, and an electromagnetic operating assembly 4 for the switch. The operating assembly includes an operating electromagnet 5 and a similar latch release electromagnet 6. Each electromagnet includes an L-shaped magnetic heel piece 8 on which is mounted a magnetic core 10 and on which magnetic armatures 11 and 12, respectively, are pivoted at 15 and 16, for rocking movement. The cores l0 carry the respective windings l8 and 20. The magnetic structures as thus far described are conventional. A bar 27 joins the long sides of the two heel pieces 8-8 near their upper ends, at the rear of the structure as seen in FIG. 1, to rigidify the magnet assembly. The armature 11 is biased to the position shown in FIG. 1 by a leaf spring 22 and is rocked clockwise upon energization of the electromagnet 5. A similar spring 24 urges the armature 12 counterclockwise. The armature 11 includes a pair of depending shanks 31-31, the lower ends of which have inwardly extending fingers 33-34. The shanks 31-31 are relatively long and narrow so that they may be individually bent to bring their respective fingers into the precisely required positions. Upon operation of the electromagnet 5 the armature 11 moves its fingers 33-34 to the left from the position shown in FIG. 1 (downwardly as seen in FIG. 3) a small but very precise amount, to operate the switch 3.

The armature of the latch release magnet is shown in FIG. 1 in its operated position, its fingers 35 have moved a switch contact spring 41 into the position shown, where its bottom contact engages a corresponding switch contact spring 42. Upon release of that armature the switch contact spring 41 will flex away from the spring contact 42 and engage the switch contact at the bottom of a stationary switch leaf 44. The spring switch assembly 41, 42 and 44 is mounted on the heel piece 8 of the latch release electromagnet 6 but insulated from one another and from the heel piece.

Latches 48 and 49 are rigidly secured to the armatures II and 12, respectively. When the latches are in the position shown, and assuming that neither electromagnet is energized, the end 50 of the latch 48 holds the latch 49 in its operated position against clockwise movement under the action of the spring 24. Energization of the coil 20 is of no avail. If the coil 18 is energized, its armature 11 rocks clockwise, freeing its end 50 from the end 51 and permitting the armature l2 and its latch 49 to rock clockwise under the action of the spring 24 so that the bottom 51 of that latch rises slightly and holds the latch 48 against counterclockwise movement by its spring 22 upon deenergization of its operating coil. The armature 11 can then return to the position of FIG. 1 only upon momentary energization of the latch release magnet 6 which causes the latch 49 to return to the position of FIG. 1.

The switch 3 includes elongated rectangular brass housing 53 on one end of the base 2 so as to form a T therewith. The housing 53 has a metal cover 55. Four screws 56 project downwardly through the cover and through oversized holes in the housing, as may be seen in FIG. 3, and are threaded into the tapped holes in the base 2 to secure the switch 3 thereto. On the cover 55 are three identical parallel coaxial cable connectors 57, 58, 59 for connections to high-frequency wave signal coaxial lines. These lines may have various purposes. For example, the center connector 58 may have connected to a radiofrequency antenna. The connectors 57,58 are connected to a radio receiver and a radio transmitter respectively, or each to a transmitter, or each to a receiver. The lines may carry wave signal frequencies of the order of 4,000 megacycles. Each connector 5, 5, includes a cylindrical conductive shell designated at 57a, 58a and 59a respectively, that may be externally threaded or otherwise suitably designed for coaxial cable connection, and centered inner conductors 57b, 58b, 59b. Each outer shell is tightly fitted into a bore in the cover 55 and silver brazed thereto. It is insulated from its associated inner conductor by a tightly fitting insulating sleeve 60. In order to keep the inner conductor from turning in the connector, a small hole is drilled radially through the shell, the sleeve 60, and the corresponding inner conductor, and a key, in the form of an insulating pin 60 is driven into that hole.

The parallel, equally spaced, inner conductors 57b, 58b, 59b have fiat terminal portions 570, 58c, 59c that project into the housing 53 and lie within an elongated cavity 61 therein. The terminal portions 57c, 58c, 59c are substantially centered between the opposite parallel walls 63, 64 of the cavity. Furthermore, the terminal portions 570, 59care substantially centered with respect to enlarged partial cylindrical end wall portions 65, 66 at the ends of the cavity 61. A flat resilient conductive rectangular spring switch am 67 is suitably secured at one end to the terminal 57c as by riveting. A drop of solder bridges each rivet and thus provides a current path between each switch and the terminal to which it is riveted, as the terminal portion 570. A like switch arm 69 is similarly secured to the tenninal portion 59c. The switch arms 67, 69 extend lengthwise within the cavity 61 and their free ends have contacts 70, 71 that are adapted to engage selectively the terminal portion 580. The switch arms 67, 69 are each mounted on their respective terminal portions 570, 590 that they are parallel to and midway between the inside surface of the cover 55 and the inside surface of the bottom wall 72 of the housing 53. The switch arms 67, 69 are each resilient, and as shown in FIG. 3, the switch arm 69 is normally biased into contact with the terminal portion 58c while the switch arm 67 is normally biased out of contact with the terminal portion 58c. In this position of the switch arm 67 a transverse relief slot 73 prevents the switch arm from contacting the housing wall 63 and thereby grounding thereat. The relief slot 73 may be omitted where contact with the housing wall is desired, or a similar slot may be provided for the free end of the switch arm 69 if grounding of that arm, when in its alternate position, is not desired.

A pair of spaced parallel switch arm actuator pins 75, 76 of plastic or other suitable dielectric material slideably fit into a pair of holes 77, 78 that are bores through one side of the housing 53 and are on opposite sides of the terminal portion 580. The holes 77, 78 are located midway between the bottom surface 79 of the housing and the top surface 80 of the cover 55. The shorter pin 75 extends between the armature finger 33 and the switch arm 67 while the longer pin 76 extends between the armature finger 34 and the switch arm 69.

When the relay annatures 11, 12 are in the positions shown in FIG. 1, the switch arms 67, 69 will be in the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Neither relay coil is energized. The connector 59 is now connected to the connector 58 with the desired degree of pressure.

When either switch arm 67, 69 is in conductive contact with the inner conductor 58c, that switch am and the surrounding part of the housing 53 with its cover will form, in effect, substantially a section of coaxial cable that joins the connector 58 with the connector joined thereto by the switch arm that contacts the inner conductor 58b. The switch arm is midway between the surfaces 63, 64. In the section of coaxial cable thus formed, a length of the housing with its corresponding length of cover constitutes an outer tubular conductor and the switch arm constitutes an inner conductor that is surrounded by the outer conductor and is approximately coaxial therewith.

Centrally of the bottom wall 72 the housing is formed with a hole for inspection (and final adjustment) of the contacts. This hole is threaded, and after approval of the contacts the hole is closed by a threaded plug 96. This plug is accessible through a large circular hole 97 in the base 2. The hole 97 is of a diameter larger than that of the connector 58 so that the housing with its cover may be mounted in a position inverted from that shown with the connector 58 projecting through the hole 97. inverting the housing may be a convenience in certain installations. Since the holes 77, 78 are midway between the surfaces 79, 80, the holes 77, 78 will be in proper position for engagement with the fingers 43, 44 when the switch 3 is inverted on the base 2.

Reference may now be had more particularly to FIG. 4 for a description of the control system for operating the electromagnets 5 and 6 selectively. There are provided two control relays which are designated by the reference numerals T and R. The electromagnets 5 and 6 are assumed at this time to be in the position illustrated in FIG. 1. A pushbutton 101 is connected in a circuit such that alternate operations of the pushbutton will cause operation of the electromagnet 5 and intervening alternate operations will cause operation of the electromagnet 6.

The circuit is as follows: closing of the switch 101 places ground upon the leaf spring 41 which through its contact 42 and the back contact 105 of relay R establishes an operating circuit for the winding of the relay T. The relay T operates, and at its front contact 107 establishes a holding circuit for itself by way of conductor 108, which holding circuit is independent of the contacts 4.1-42. This relay remains energized over this holding circuit so long as the pushbutton 101 remains closed.

The relay T at its back contacts 110 opens any possible circuit to the conductor 111 of the operating coil of the relay R. At its front contacts 1 12 the operated relay T establishes a circuit over the conductor 114 to the operating coil of the electromagnet 5. This coil operates the coaxial switch 3 in the manner previously described, and it moves its interlocking lever 48 (FIG. 1) to its alternate position that permits release of the armature of the latching electromagnet 6. This restores the latch 49 to its normal position, thus opening the contacts 41-42 and closing the contacts 41-44. So long as the pushbutton 101 remains in its closed position, nothing more happens. The subsequent opening of the manual switch 101 opens the circuit for the relay T and that relay drops back to the position shown in FIG. 4. The circuit now remains the same as shown in HO. 4, except that the contact 41 remains in its alternate position to which it has been moved by the release of the latching electromagnet 6 as a result of movement of latch 48 to its alternate position. At this time therefore the switch 41 remains in its alternate position and the armatures of the electromagnets 5 and 6 remain in their alternate positions as compared to the respective positions of HG. 1.

If it is desirable to restore the circuit connections of the switch 3 to that illustrated in HO. 1, it is merely necessary to reoperate the pushbutton switch 101. Ground from the pushbutton switch is extended through the movable switch spring 41 which is now at the contact 44, thence by way of conductor 118, the back contact 110 of the switch T to the conductor 1 l 1 to operate the relay R. The operation of the relay R opens its contact 105 to prevent operation of the relay '1. At its front contact 120 it establishes a holding circuit for itself that is independent of the contacts 41-44 but is dependent upon ground of the conductor 108 via the pushbutton 101. At its front contact 122 it places ground upon the conductor 124 and establishes an operating circuit for the magnetizing winding of the latching electromagnet 6. That electromagnet operates, thereby returning the latch lever 49 to the position illustrated in Fit}. 1 which permits the restoration of the latch lever 48 and consequent restoration of the armature 1 1 of the operating electromagnet 5. The restoration of the armature 11 by the action of the spring 22 restores the coaxial switch 3 to the position illustrated in FIG. 3. Upon release of the pushbutton switch, the circuit for the winding of the relay R is opened, and that relay restores to the position of FIG. 4.

If desired, the bank of switch contacts 41, 42 and 44 may be duplicated by a second such bank that includes switch spring blades 41, 42, and 44, similar to the correspondingly numbered parts of FIG. l, the armature or movable blade 41' being mechanically connected to but insulated from the blade 41. The blades 41'42 control a circuit to an indicating light 130, and the contacts of the blades 41 '-44' control a circuit to a signal light 131. These two signal lights indicate the position of the armature of the latching relay and thereby indicate the position of the coaxial switch 3.

From the above description it is apparent that there has herein been provided an improved coaxial relay which may be used for connecting a high frequency or ultra high frequency radio antenna with either a transmission circuit or a receiving circuit, and a signalling system for indicating which circuit is connected to the antenna, and there is provided a simple control circuit whereby a momentary actuation of one and the same pushbutton will operate the coaxial switch from whichever position it is in, to its alternate position. This is of importance where the button is mounted, for instance on a hand-held microphone and it is desired to connect the microphone or the circuit influenced thereby selectively to either one of two radiofrequency circuits. By using a latching type relay, it is not necessary that the operating electromagnets carry current except during the small time when the switch is being changed from one position to another. This is of importance in many installations where the switching operation is at a location where economy of operating energy is important, as for instance in an isolated or remotely located location.

It may further be seen that there has herein been provided a combination switching system and coaxial relay wherein one ultra high frequency circuit may be connected selectively to either one of two other circuits by the mere momentary pushing of one and the same switch button.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes 1 have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein shown, the same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention.

What is considered new and sought to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A coaxial relay including a coaxial switch having an operated position and an alternate position, an electromagnet operator member for moving said switch from one position to another, latching means for latching the switch in said other position to permit electrical deenergization of said operator while holding the switch in said other position, an electromagnetic release member for releasing said latching means to permit movement of the switch back to its alternate position, and means for energizing said electromagnetic members altemately whereby in each position of the switch the two electromagnetic members may remain deenergized, said last means including a manual switch, and including also circuit connectrons establlshed by each alternate actuation of the manual switch for energizing one of the members and upon the intervening alternate operations of said manual switch for energizing the other member, and said latching means being constituted by each electromagnetic member being provided with an interlock means actuated thereby and which in its released position locks the other electromagnetic member in its operated position notwithstanding electrical deenergization of the operated electromagnetic member; and the circuit connections controlled by the manual switch include a relay for establishing a circuit to one of the electromagnetic members, a relay for establishing a circuit to the other electromagnetic member, and directing switch means set in one or another operative position depending upon the position of said interlock means for directing the circuit from said manual switch selectively to the two last manual relays.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said last-mentioned relays includes means for establishing a holding circuit for itself around the directing switch means but controlled by said manual switch.

3. A coaxial relay including a coaxial switch having an operated position and an alternate position, an electromagnetic operator member for moving said switch from one position to another, latching means for latching the switch in said other position to pennit electrical deenergization of said operator while holding the switch in said other position, an electromagnetic release member for releasing said latching means to permit movement of the switch back to its alternate position, and means for energizing said electromagnetic members alternately whereby in each position of the switch the two electromagnetic members may remain deenergized, said last means including a manual switch, and including also circuit connections established by each alternate actuation of the manual switch for energizing one of the members and upon the intervening alternate operations of said manual switch for energizing the other member circuit connections controlled by the manual switch including a relay for establishing a circuit to one of the electromagnetic members, a relay for establishing a circuit to the other electromagnetic member, and also including directing switch means set in one or another operative position depending upon the position of said interlock means for directing the circuit from said manual switch selectively to the two last manual relays. 

1. A coaxial relay including a coaxial switch having an operated position and an alternate position, an electromagnet operator member for moving said switch from one position to another, latching means for latching the switch in said other position to permit electrical deenergization of said operator while holding the switch in said other position, an electromagnetic release member for releasing said latching means to permit movement of the switch back to its alternate position, and means for energizing said electromagnetic members alternately whereby in each position of the switch the two electromagnetic members may remain deenergized, said last means including a manual switch, and including also circuit connections established by each alternate actuation of the manual switch for energizing one of the members and upon the intervening alternate operations of said manual switch for energizing the other member, and said latching means being constituted by each electromagnetic member being provided with an interlock means actuated thereby and which in its released position locks the other electromagnetic member in its operated position notwithstanding electrical deenergization of the operated electromagnetic member; and the circuit connections controlled by the manual switch include a relay for establishing a circuit to one of the electromagnetic members, a relay for establishing a circuit to the other electromagnetic member, and directing switch means set in one or anotHer operative position depending upon the position of said interlock means for directing the circuit from said manual switch selectively to the two last manual relays.
 2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said last-mentioned relays includes means for establishing a holding circuit for itself around the directing switch means but controlled by said manual switch.
 3. A coaxial relay including a coaxial switch having an operated position and an alternate position, an electromagnetic operator member for moving said switch from one position to another, latching means for latching the switch in said other position to permit electrical deenergization of said operator while holding the switch in said other position, an electromagnetic release member for releasing said latching means to permit movement of the switch back to its alternate position, and means for energizing said electromagnetic members alternately whereby in each position of the switch the two electromagnetic members may remain deenergized, said last means including a manual switch, and including also circuit connections established by each alternate actuation of the manual switch for energizing one of the members and upon the intervening alternate operations of said manual switch for energizing the other member circuit connections controlled by the manual switch including a relay for establishing a circuit to one of the electromagnetic members, a relay for establishing a circuit to the other electromagnetic member, and also including directing switch means set in one or another operative position depending upon the position of said interlock means for directing the circuit from said manual switch selectively to the two last manual relays. 